Chamakh joins Bordeaux trip to Canada

Marouane Chamakh, Bordeaux’s unsettled Moroccan striker, flew with the rest of the squad on a pre-season visit to Canada on Thursday, in spite of claims by the player that he was expecting to be signed by an English premiership club.

The French champions are taking part in the Champions Trophy event on Saturday in Montreal.

When Sunderland were reported earlier this week to be close to signing the 25-year-old Morocco international, Bordeaux manager Laurent Blanc threatened to step in and veto the move saying Chamakh “deserved better” than a switch to the north east England club.

Deposed French champions Lyon have also made it clear they would be keen to sign up the Moroccan who is under contract at Bordeaux until next year.